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| United States Patent |
6,158,865
|
|
Kreutzig
|
December 12, 2000
|
Color enhancing filter and method of employing a color enhancing filter
to improve human eye vision
Abstract
A color enhancing filter is disclosed which is especially adapted for use
to improve eye vision under all lighting environments. Lighting
environments include extreme lighting environments, such as, low level and
brightly illuminated light environments. The filter is supported by an
adapter ring. It also has a filter element which passes impinging light
wavelengths as follows:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
400 25
450 12
470 08
500 04
520 07
570 50
600 87
700 90
______________________________________
A method of improving human eye vision utilizing the filter is also
disclosed. The method includes causing various types of light to travel to
a subject and to be reflected or transmitted from the subject to a
light-amplification device or the human eye.
| Inventors:
|
Kreutzig; Kirk (7 S 349 Marionway, Naperville, IL 60540)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
429979 |
| Filed:
|
October 29, 1999 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
351/213 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A61B 003/00 |
| Field of Search: |
351/213,233,162,885
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 3294556 | Dec., 1966 | Harrington.
| |
| 3571649 | Mar., 1971 | Bush, Jr.
| |
| 3588215 | Jun., 1971 | Singh.
| |
| 3619624 | Nov., 1971 | Sorenson.
| |
| 3929487 | Dec., 1975 | Singh.
| |
| 4542959 | Sep., 1985 | Kreutzig.
| |
| 5719715 | Feb., 1998 | Westhaver | 359/885.
|
Other References
Hurst, Colour, A Handbook of the Theory of Colour, pp. 34-35, 49 (1900).
Kuleshov, et al, Thin-film absorption light filters, Sov. J. Opt. Technol.,
46(1), p. 51 (1979).
Rolands, The Underwater Photographer's Handbook, pp. 74-75 (1983).
|
Primary Examiner: Manuel; George
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Holland & Knight LLP
Claims
The following is claimed as the invention:
1. A color enhancing optical filter for improving eye vision under lighting
environments, comprising, in combination, mounting means for mounting the
filter to an eye viewing apparatus that is placed in an air medium subject
to extreme lighting conditions comprising a brightly illuminated light
level or a low level light and which results from environmental conditions
comprising rain, fog, snow, haze, or sun glare and a filter element
secured to the mounting means and passing impinging light wavelengths as
follows:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
ranges from about 396 to about 404
25
ranges from about 445 to about 455
12
ranges from about 465 to about 475
08
ranges from about 495 to about 505
04
ranges from about 515 to about 525
07
ranges from about 564 to about 576
50
ranges from about 594 to about 606
87
ranges from about 693 to about 707
90.
______________________________________
2. A color enhancing filter according to claim 1 further comprising said
passing impinging light wavelengths as follows:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
400 25
450 12
470 08
500 04
520 07
570 50
600 87
700 90.
______________________________________
3. A color enhancing filter according to claim 1 wherein said filter
element comprises optical glass having substantially constant
light-filtering properties throughout.
4. A color enhancing filter according to claim 1 wherein said filter
element comprises optical plastic having substantially constant
light-filtering properties throughout.
5. A color enhancing filter according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means
is adapted for connection to the front of the eye viewing apparatus.
6. A color enhancing filter according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means
is adapted for connection to the rear of an eye viewing apparatus.
7. A method of improving human vision under lighting conditions employing a
color enhancing optical filter comprising the steps of securing the filter
to an eye viewing apparatus, placing the eye viewing apparatus along with
the filter in an air medium subject to extreme lighting conditions
comprising a brightly illuminated light level or a low level light and
that results from environmental conditions comprising rain, fog, snow,
haze, or sun glare, causing light to travel through the medium, and from
the subject through the air medium and through the filter and eye viewing
apparatus, filtering the light wavelengths passing through the filter as
follows:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
ranges from about 396 to about 404
25
ranges from about 445 to about 455
12
ranges from about 465 to about 475
08
ranges from about 495 to about 505
04
ranges from about 515 to about 525
07
ranges from about 564 to about 576
50
ranges from about 594 to about 606
87
ranges from about 693 to about 707
90.
______________________________________
8. A method of improving human eye vision according to claim 7 further
comprising the step of filtering the light wavelengths passing through the
filter as follows:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
400 25
450 12
470 08
500 04
520 07
570 50
600 87
700 90.
______________________________________
9. A method of improving human eye vision according to claim 8 wherein the
eye viewing apparatus comprises surveillance equipment.
10. A method of improving human eye vision according to claim 8 wherein the
eye viewing apparatus comprises conventional eye wear.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to optical filters, and more particularly concerns a
color enhancing filter which will improve human eye vision under all
lighting environments including extreme lighting environments.
Extreme lighting environments generally involve either very low or very
high levels of light. In either environment, it is difficult for the human
eye to accurately visualize objects. For example, this difficulty presents
a particular challenge for law enforcement agencies, the military and
everyday citizens who must perform activities, such as travel or
navigation, under low level lighting conditions.
To overcome the absence of vision under low level environments, the
military and private industry have developed active vision enhancing
devices. However, these devices require the use of an electronic mechanism
to amplify very low levels of light. The amplified light is then converted
into images on a cathode tube or other device for viewing by the human
eye.
To enhance vision under bright light environments, traditional smoke gray
eye glass lenses have been generally used. However, the smoke gray lenses
act to reduce the total amount of light that reaches the eye, thereby
interfering with vision focus and accuracy. Moreover, the darkening
effects of the smoke gray lenses may cause the eye to dilate. Unless
ultraviolet protection is additionally provided, the smoke gray lenses,
alone, permit additional and harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted from a
light source to reach the eyes.
It is the general object of the present invention to improve human eye
vision under all lighting environments including extreme lighting
environments.
It is another object of this invention to improve human eye vision by
employing a color enhancing filter under low level light environments with
or without the aid of light amplification devices.
It is yet another object of this invention to improve human eye vision by
employing a color enhancing filter under brightly illuminated
environments.
It is a further object to provide a color enhancing filter which will not
deteriorate or change optical properties even long after its manufacture,
or after extensive use.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the
drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like
parts.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An optical filter is disclosed, which is adapted for use under all lighting
environments, and more particularly, extreme lighting environments, such
as, low level lighting and brightly illuminated environments. The filter
has a filter element that passes impinging light wavelengths.
A method of improving human eye vision employing a color enhancing filter
that is attached to an eye viewing apparatus is also disclosed. The method
includes causing various types of light to travel to a subject and to be
reflected or transmitted from the subject to a light-amplification device
or the human eye.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a graph showing the transmission of specific wavelengths of light
(or spectral transmission response curve) of the novel color enhancing
filter made in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the novel filter.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the novel filter in the plane of line
3--3 taken in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred
embodiment and procedure, it will be understood that it is not intended to
limit the invention to this embodiment or procedure. On the contrary, it
is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as
may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
A preliminary understanding of a color enhancing filter will be helpful in
understanding the invention. The color enhancing filter is represented by
a sophisticated optical spectral curve, which selectively attenuates
specific wavelengths of light to optimize vision, color, safety and
performance. One such color enhancing filter is described in Kreutzig U.S.
Pat. No. 4,542,959.
Regardless of its application, the filter provides the user with the
ability to optimize vision under all lighting environments including
extreme lighting conditions that result from weather conditions such as,
rain, fog, snow, haze, sun glare or other weather conditions that
correspondingly create extreme lighting environments. By use of the
filter, eye comfort, scene contrast, visual clarity and scene brightness
are significantly improved.
Not only does the filter enhance the user's ability to optimize vision, the
filter also provides the user with a safe means to optimize vision. Under
laboratory tests, the filter has met and/or exceeded ANSI, International
Industrial Safety, Military and other vision industrial standards. In
addition, the filter protects against dangerous effects of ultraviolet
light. The filter eye protection superiority is clearly demonstrated by
documented scientific laboratory photospectral analysis of the filtered
light transmission characteristics:
______________________________________
VISIBLE LIGHT 57.6%
NEAR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
0.00042%
FAR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
0.00006%
NEAR INFRARED LIGHT (IR)
74.3%
BLUE LIGHT 19.0%
______________________________________
It is generally thought that ultraviolet light may be harmful to the human
body, forming skin cancers. Moreover, the human eye is especially
sensitive to damage caused by unseen and unfelt ultraviolet radiation that
does not become apparent until months or years later, after much damage
has occurred.
The filter with its beneficial result of safely optimizing vision under all
lighting condition, including extreme lighting conditions, displays a wide
array of recreational and commercial applications. Recreational and
commercial applications include, for example, boating, flying, skiing,
surveillance activities, underwater activities and other activities
undertaken in extreme lighting conditions.
Furthermore, the filter has performed very well during experimental
testing. For example, law enforcement agencies report that the filter
significantly improved vision within a smoke-filled environment. In
addition, commercial and private pilots reported dramatic haze penetration
during mid and high altitude flights. They also reported that the ground
and terrain color was significantly improved revealing previously unseen
details. The filter was also used by an internationally ranked yacht
skipper who asserted that properties within the lens color allowed him to
see minute subtleties in the sea and wind along with sail detail that was
totally absent when compared to "ordinary glasses."
In accordance with a suggested exemplary embodiment of the invention, a
color enhancing filter having the spectral transmission curve shown in
FIG. 1 has been found to improve eye vision under all lighting conditions,
including extreme lighting conditions. Important data points on this curve
are:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
400 25
450 12
470 08
500 04
520 07
570 50
600 87
700 90
______________________________________
However the present invention is not limited by the specific curve of the
exemplary embodiment of this invention. The light wavelength data points
of the exemplary embodiment may vary with respect to each of the %
Incident Light Transmitted data points of the exemplary embodiment of this
invention. Based on this variation, the spectral curve can be represented
as follows:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
ranges from about 396 to about 404
25
ranges from about 445 to about 455
12
ranges from about 465 to about 475
08
ranges from about 495 to about 505
04
ranges from about 515 to about 525
07
ranges from about 564 to about 576
50
ranges from about 594 to about 606
87
ranges from about 693 to about 707
90
______________________________________
Another variation of the exemplary embodiment of the spectral curve can be
represented as follows:
______________________________________
Light Wavelength (nm)
% Incident Light Transmitted
______________________________________
400 25
450 12
470 08
500 04
520 07
ranges from about 567 to about 573
50
ranges from about 597 to about 603
87
ranges from about 696 to about 704
90
______________________________________
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is suggested in the drawings. As
illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the design, construction and operation of this
exemplary filter 10 includes an adapter ring 12 or other means for
securing the filter 10 to an eye viewing apparatus, such as a surveillance
equipment, conventional eye wear or navigational equipment. The adapter
ring 12 may include a variety of different shapes and sizes depending on
the type of eye viewing apparatus. Preferably, the adapter ring 12 is
circular in shape. It also has an outer diameter 14, inner diameter 16,
and curved edge 18 having a width or axial length 20. In one embodiment,
the outer diameter 14, inner diameter 16, curved edge radius 18 and width
20 equal in value 1.9, 1.6, 0.0750 and 0.8750 inches, respectively.
In further accordance with the invention, a filter element 22 is mounted in
the adapter ring 12. The filter element 22 provides a long service life
without deterioration or material change in optical properties. To this
end, the filter element 22 can be made of a variety of optical materials,
such as a high quality optical glass, high quality optical plastic or
other similar optical material having substantially constant
light-filtering properties throughout. When the filter element 22 is made
so as to have the spectral response curve shown in FIG. 1, the filter
element 22 has an orange color.
The filter element 22 can be attached to the adapter ring 12 in a variety
of different ways. For example, the filter element 22 can be inset a
distance 24 from the curved edge 18 of the adapter ring 12. In the
illustrated embodiment, the distance 24 equals 0.2500 inches. The filter
element 22 also has a thickness 26 and a center diameter 28. In the
illustrated embodiment, these distances are 0.6250 and 1.6880 inches,
respectively.
The design of the filter 10 for use with an eye viewing apparatus may take
on many different variations depending on the type of the eye viewing
apparatus. For example, the filter 10 can be attached in front or behind
the eye viewing apparatus. The attachment mechanism is similar to the
front-of-the-lens and behind-the-lens device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,542,959 and is incorporated herein by reference.
In an embodiment, the filter 10 is attached to surveillance equipment
typically used by law enforcement agencies. The present invention is not
limited by the type of surveillance equipment or how the filter is
attached to the surveillance equipment.
In an embodiment, the filter 10 is attached to conventional eye wear. The
conventional eye wear may include sun glasses, ski glasses, eye glasses or
other similar devices through which the human eye sees. An exemplar
embodiment includes eye wear that has a close-fitting frame in order to
block out peripheral unfiltered light.
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